The main cause of death and disability in the US

    Stroke (中风) is the main cause of death and disability in the United States. Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is the nation's third leading cause of death, ranking behind diseases of the heart and all forms of cancer. The following is something more about stroke.

Definition and description of a stroke

    Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries(动脉) leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel（血管） that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So stroke forms.

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    The American Stroke Association has identified several factors (因素) that increase the risk of stroke. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that he or she will have a stroke. Some of these you can't control, such as increasing age, family health history, race, and previous stroke. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Factors resulting from lifestyle or environment can be improved with a healthcare provider's help.

Breakthroughs in treatment

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In fact, about 600,000 people have strokes every year. For many years, there was no hope for those suffering a stroke. However, recent breakthroughs have led to new treatments. For the treatments to work, the person must get to a hospital immediately.

    Homework is a major part of going to school: It's your teachers' way of evaluating(评价)how much you understand of what's going on in class. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Luckily, you can do a few things to make homework less work.

    Be sure you understand the homework.

    Write your homework down in your notebook or day planner if you need to. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}It's much easier to take a minute to ask the teacher during or after class than to struggle to remember later that night!

    Use any extra time in school.

    Many schools have study halls that are specifically designed to allow students to study. It's tempting(诱惑)to hang out with friends during study periods or unstructured(松散的) time. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Take a break.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}So take some breaks while doing your homework. Sitting for too long without stretching or relaxing will make you less productive than if you stop every so often. Taking a 15minute break every hour is a good idea for most people.

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    If you don't finish your homework during school, think about how much you have left and what else is going on that day, and then budget your time. Most highschool students have between 1 and 3 hours of homework a night. If it's a heavy homework day and it seems like you've got an assignment in every subject but gym and lunch, you'll need to devote more time to homework. It's a good idea to come up with some kind of homework schedule（日程）, especially if you are involved in sports or activities or have an afterschool job.

A.Pace yourself.

B.Settle down to do homework.

C.And it helps digest important concepts(概念).

D.Most people's attention spans(注意力持续时间)aren't very long.

E.Don't be afraid to ask questions about what's expected.

F.Once your homework is done, you can check over it if you have extra time.

G.But the more work you can get done in school, the less you'll have to do that night.

    Are Your Clothes Causing Pollution? Very small pieces of plastic, called microfibers, are polluting rivers and oceans. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Clothes worn for outdoor activities and exercise are often made of artificial material, which is useful in keeping warm. But they contain very small plastic fibers, which may also be harming the environment when you wash them. When people wash these clothes, very small pieces go down the drain （下水道） with the wash water.

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    Pollution caused by plastic is not new，but recent studies have shown the effect of microfibers in the environment.

    Studies show very small microfibers are ending up in our waters，which may come from waste water treatment factories. A 2015 study found them in fish from California.

    Microfibers, effect on food supplies.

Beyond the waterways，the researchers say microfibers may end up in soil and agricultural lands. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This means there is much to be learned about microfibers and the environment. Some studies have shown that microfibers end up inside sea animals，like oysters. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Researchers say that the fibers tend not to move into the tissue of the fish，but it needs more study.

    Steps to save or keep microfibers from the environment.

    Until more information becomes known，there are steps to take to reduce the amount of microfibers in the environment. People should use less of the artificial materials. If we already have those in our lives and we're using them，an important step would be washing them less. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A bag is being designed in which to wash these clothes. It traps the microfibers in the bag and it may be available for purchase soon.

A. New technology may also help.

B. Studies on microfibers in the environment.

C. They can also move around the atmosphere.

D. Studies on how much of the microfibers is released.

E. The source of these microfibers may surprise you: your clothes.

F. Washing machines keep microfibers from escaping with wash water.

G. So if these microfibers have been found in fish and seafood, are they safe to eat?

    Empathy is the ability to imagine what it must be like in someone else's situation. It is an essential part of what it means to be human, to the extent that we are suspicious of anyone who does not show empathy in their behavior.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}We read novels, watch television and go to the theatre, and part of our enjoyment comes from understanding the dilemma faced by the characters because we know how we would feel if we were in the same situation.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}One study has shown animals displaying empathy towards other animals and towards humans. Creatures from across the animal kingdom such as bees and whales, as well as domestic pets, display behavior that suggests they cooperate with and protect each other.

    In another study, psychiatrist Jules Masserman and his team conducted an experiment with monkeys in which the monkeys pulled one of two chains that released food. One chain simply released the food, while another gave an electric shock to a second monkey. The first monkey stopped pulling the chain that delivered the shock.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}This empathetic behavior was observed in a number of monkeys.

    The origin of empathy is probably the need for the young of all animal species to be cared for. They communicate this requirement by crying for attention and to show pain. Both human and non-human young were more likely to survive if their parents reacted positively to their needs. People and animals alike are social beings and are more likely to work together.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}If we help others, we are also helping ourselves and so empathy is sensible and realistic.

    We don't always display empathy, however. Just as animals react aggressively to unknown creatures from their own or other species, humans tend to regard people they don't know with suspicion.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Our unwillingness to trust anyone unfamiliar is as natural to us as our empathy towards those we know and love.

A. To feel empathy is not restricted to real life.

B. You can empathize with someone without feeling sympathy for them.

C. This fear of strangers will, we believe, protect us from personal danger.

D. It seemed to be willing to go hungry rather than see a fellow animal suffer.

E. However, it seems that in fact empathy may not be a quality unique to humans.

F. Empathy plays a role in that as it allows us to understand our fellow humans better.

G. It's certainly difficult to understand an animal's intention behind an emphatic response.

    This past week I was assigned to go without technology for six hours for study. I assumed that it was going to be impossible. Nowadays, people have become so dependent on technology. We are so addicted to it that we will panic when we can't remember where we have put our phone.

    I began my day at 9 am, turning off my phone. I grabbed my wrist watch and some textbooks and set off for my day. I went to a coffee shop for breakfast and as I sat down, instead of pulling out my phone, I pulled out the book I was currently reading. As I ate my bread, I felt like it was more delicious and that I could actually enjoy reading because I wasn't checking my phone every few seconds. I could actually appreciate what I was reading and absorb it. I had entertainment and I was able to keep track of time with my watch.

    In the afternoon I found myself in the library, I had to study for an upcoming math test. So the lack of technology was actually a blessing for me. I took out my textbooks and began to work on writing out all the definitions I had to learn in pencil. During the process, I found that I just never had the patience or attention span before.

    Those six hours taught me that we don't really need technology. We have just psychologically tricked our brains into thinking that we need to constantly be on it, checking what our friends are doing and making sure we are also doing something. Technology constantly bombards (轰击) us with information. That day I wasn't stressed over why a friend of mine was texting me, and I was just doing something for myself. Technology takes away all the simple moments, which we now take for granted because we are so addicted to it that we don't take the time to notice the world and the small things around us.

    Earthquakes are among the most destructive (破坏性的)natural disasters. It can strike without warning. The earthquake safety tips below will increase your chances of surviving an earthquake.

    If you are indoors, stay there. Quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk or a strong table. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You can also get to a corner formed by two walls with your arms over your head. Avoid taking cover near windows, large mirrors, or hanging objects.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't take shelter under a tree, street lights, electric poles or tall buildings. Run to open spaces and move away from the nearby buildings to avoid anything falling on you. Remember that most of the people who die in earthquakes are killed by falling buildings, broken glass and flying objects.

    If you are driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}You should also avoid stopping on or under bridges. Stay in your car.

    If you are in the event of getting trapped in ruins during an earthquake, don't panic. Instead, cover your mouth with a piece of clothing. Use your cellphone to call for help if possible. Don't shout. Shouting can cause you to breathe in dust. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Be prepared for aftershocks. They can happen in the first hours after the earthquake. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Therefore, if you are not in a safe place after the first shock, you should move quickly but carefully to a safer place.

A. Try to move about or kick up dust.

B. This can protect you from falling objects.

C. If you are outdoors, move to the nearby buildings.

D. However, sometimes they even happen months later.

E. Avoid stopping under power lines, trees and large signs.

F. If you happen to be outside during an earthquake, move to an open area.

G. Try to gain the attention of the rescuers by tapping on a nearby wall or pipe.